Welsh Fire closing in on Hundred final after crushing win over Southern Brave

Hayley Matthews continued her remarkable all-round form as Welsh Fire progressed to The Hundred knockout stage with a nine-wicket victory over bottom side Southern Brave at Utilita Bowl

The West Indian, opening the bowling, returned figures of four for 14 with her off-breaks before her unbeaten 35, along with Tammy Beaumont’s 59 from 40 balls, helped the visitors knock off their target of 104 with 26 deliveries to spare.

Fire are now in a strong position, due to their superior run-rate, to finish in top spot and qualify automatically for the final at Lord’s on Sunday.

Tottering

After Beaumont won the toss, Matthews dismissed in-form Danni Wyatt, Maia Bouchier, Naomi Dattani and Kalea Moore to leave the Brave tottering at 47 for seven.

Chloe Tryon singlehandedly rescued the innings with an aggressive 55 off 38 balls, adding 52 with Rhianna Southby, as the Brave were all out for 103.

Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley put on 34 in the reply until the latter was dismissed by Lauren Bell.

Beaumont reached her half-century off just 31 balls and added 72 with Matthews to take their side to a comprehensive win.

Matthews said: “Obviously the wickets are getting a bit tired, so I’ve been able to get some purchase out of it. I think just trying to hit good areas, and have the batters hitting where I want them to.

“I think we’ve been really good (throughout the season). When you look at our line-up, we’ve got a lot of experience, and we’ve played on that really well.

“The bowlers have done a really good job at making sure we don’t have to chase too big of a total. I think it’s been a complete team performance and that’s where we’ve performed really well, everyone’s been chipping in and playing their role.”